Almost 3,000 people were given speeding fines on the M20 roadworks sections during a two-and-a-half month period.

A total of 2,979 of the £100 fines were handed out between July 1 and September 13 to those caught speeding on sections of the M20 where roadworks are in place for new junctions and smart motorways.

A Freedom of Information request revealed more than 1,200 of those given the £100 fines were caught while driving during the night-time, when no work is being done on the roads.

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Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Drivers are already paying a high price having to crawl through miles and miles of roadworks on the M20.

“Now they are finding out that more than 1,000 people have been hit with fines while driving at night – when there is no work taking place.

“It’s no wonder they feel like they are being taken for a ride.

“Highways England needs hurry up and finish these roadworks. And the Government needs to do the right thing – and spend the funds raised through fines on improving Kent’s roads and fixing the potholes that blight our county.”

A map of the M20 smart motorway upgrade (Image: Highways England)

The stats

The roadworks, which began in mid-May in Ashford and in early July in Maidstone, are expected to last until spring 2020.

Between July 1 and September 13, 454 drivers were caught on the junction 3 to 5 stretch, while 2,505 caught between junctions 9 and 11.